Rice Quietly Enjoys a Productive Game

By TIM KAWAKAMI

Feb. 17, 2000 12 AM PT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On the day the Lakers’ No. 1 trade option was wiped away, Laker forward Glen Rice returned to the Charlotte Coliseum for the first time, had one of his best games in several weeks, then, through a Laker spokesman, announced that he would not speak to reporters.

Rice, the subject of frequent trade talk, made his first two shots, actually played significant minutes in the fourth quarter, finished the game eight for 15 from the field and scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

“Glen played good--he’s starting to get his focus back,” said Rice’s friend, Shaquille O’Neal. “I think he was bothered by whatever was going on outside of basketball. He played well tonight. . . .

“I think he wanted it. He played with a lot of emotion and he shot the ball well.”

Coach Phil Jackson, who had been using Rick Fox recently for most of the fourth quarter, went back to Rice in this game’s crucial minutes because he said he was pleased with the way Rice was playing.

“I like it when he comes out aggressively,” Jackson said. “I started the game off going to him. . . . And to him, a guy like [Anthony] Mason playing him on the interior part of the floor is a challenge he likes to accept.”

Earlier in the day, forward Toni Kukoc--believed to be the player the Lakers were most likely to try to land before the Feb. 24 trade deadline--was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-day trade with the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors.

Because of league rules that prevent players from being traded twice in a 30-day span, it is believed that Kukoc cannot become a Laker before the deadline expires.

“I really guess I can’t comment on that,” Jackson said of the deal. “I just have to say that it’s an interesting trade. I think it’s going to strengthen a couple teams.”

Does this close a door for the Lakers?

“Is this the 24th today?” Jackson said, smiling. “Geez, I missed a couple days here. . . . Who knows what Philly wants to do?”

In Eddie Jones’ first game against the Lakers since they traded him to Charlotte last season, Jones chatted often with Kobe Bryant and O’Neal on the floor.

“We had a friendly conversation,” said O’Neal, who often coyly suggested that he was the man who made the trade that sent away Jones and Elden Campbell in return for Rice.

“You know, if there’s any player that I traded that I miss, it’d probably be Eddie. He knows.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TRIPLE PLAYS / The Big 3

Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice have been the driving force behind the Lakers’ success. How they fared:

O’NEAL

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Wed. Season 18 Points 27.9 14 Rebounds 14.3 5 Assists 3.5

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BRYANT

*--*

Wed. Season 26 Points 22.6 7 Rebounds 6.2 6 Assists 4.4

*--*